2022 Martyr Captain Cengiz Topel Mediterranean Storm Drill held

THE 2022 Martyr Captain Cengiz Topel Mediterranean Storm Drill, which was carried out in North Cyprus with the participation of members of the Turkish Armed Forces and the TRNC’s Security Forces Command (GKK), was reported to have been successfully completed.

A statement released by the GKK last weekend said the drill was held “in line with the international Treaties of Guarantee and Alliance” regarding Cyprus and that “the Turkish

Armed Forces and the TRNC Security Forces continue to protect the rights and interests of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean and to be the guarantor of peace and security on the island of Cyprus”.

The statement explained that the aim of the annual military drill, held this year from September 19 to September 23, was to “improve the planning and execution capabilities” of the “armoured troops, air assault and airborne operations, combat search and rescue, electronic warfare, reconnaissance and surveillance activities”, while “sharing mutual knowledge

and experience and improving interoperability”.

The drill involved members of Turkey’s Land Forces Command, Naval Forces Command, Air Force Command, and Army Aviation Command; along with Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces troops and members of the Special Task Force Command’s Security

Forces Command and Army Aviation Command from the TRNC.

The exercise is named after Captain Cengiz Topel, the first Turkish fighter pilot to be killed in action when he was captured and tortured to death by Greek Cypriot forces after his aircraft was shot down over Cyprus in August 1964 while taking part in the defence of Erenköy on the island’s north-western coast.